[RobertMiller]

Many people are required to have and mow lawns by their HOA or local government. For those people, the choice is mow, move, or eat some fines.

Mowing may also be necessary if you live somewhere with a rodent problem, or particularly if you live somewhere with a rodent and snake problem. You don't want rats nesting right up against your house, nor vipers (attracted to the rats) nipping at your heels every time you go outside to check your mailbox.

Of course there are outside-the-box solutions like surrounding your house with gravel.